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Information For Social Workers

The role of the social worker is to take the lead with all adults working with the child in creating a culture where the child is expected and encouraged to achieve as well as they possibly can.

You need to

Tell the child’s school and the Virtual School as soon as a child goes into care

Ensure the EPEP is INITIATED in time for the first review i.e. within 20 working days.

Complete the social care section sin the ePEP. You will need to make a professional judgement about what information the school needs to know about the child, agree this with the foster carer and record it on the ePEP.

Keep the school informed about changes in the child’s care arrangements and ensure these are updated on the PEP form for each PEP meeting.

Seek the advice of the Virtual School on education planning and provision if you are unsure about something

Encourage foster carers to be actively involved in the promotion of the education of the children they care for

Ensure that education is given equal priority at LAC reviews as other aspects of a child’s provision

Work with other professionals to ensure there are good support systems around the child’s education.

How the Virtual School can support you

Advise you on how to work with the school to support the child’s education and produce good quality PEPs

Explain school systems and qualifications, which can be confusing

Attend PEP meetings and SEN reviews of complex cases, or cases where you would like our input

Provide extra support beyond the Pupil Premium Plus

Support transitions to new schools if school placements change.

Provide induction for new social workers, regular training and networking

Get involved quickly if there are problems with a school placement

A word about PEPs and schools

Schools in Bath and North East Somerset will take the lead in chairing PEP meetings and completing the PEP forms, although some schools will be more experienced in working with children in care than others. Many schools also have to use different PEP systems depending on which local authority the children are in care to.

Some schools outside of Bath and North East Somerset work differently, for example they will be used to social workers taking the lead on chairing PEP meetings and producing the finished document. You will need to take the lead in working with the designated teacher in these schools to agree how the PEP will be undertaken in these cases. The Virtual School can advise and support you on this.

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